COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 444, Human Physiology
 Fall or Spring
 3 hrs. Lecture, 3 credit hours
 Dr. Cecilia Vigil
 Science and Research building, Office 112
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Course prerequisites
BIO 202
Course Corequisite
None
Course description:
Physiology of major body systems studied at the metabolic, cellular, and systemic levels,
emphasizing homeostatic mechanisms.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the major human physiological systems such as the heart, nervous system,
skeletal muscle, renal, endocrine, gastro-intestinal, respiratory, and reproductive
2. Describe how membrane potentials affect an organism at the cell, tissue, and organ level
3. Explain how diseases alter these systems and processes.
4. List and describe current medical technologies associated with these systems
Course structure/approach:
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion;
application exercises; scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with
relevant expertise, and/or other activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings,
audio-visual content, software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Revised 04/22/03
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction and Fundamental Concepts of Physiology
Week 2: Chemistry and Cell Biology
Week 3: Membrane Physiology
Week 4: Nerve and Muscle Cell Physiology
Week 5: Nervous System
Week 6: Nervous System
Week 7: Heart
Week 8: Circulation
Week 9: Body Fluids and the Kidney
Week 10: Body Fluids and the Kidney
Week 11: Blood Cells, Immunity, and Coagulation
Week 12: Respiration
Week 13: Gastrointestinal System
Week 14: Metabolism and Temperature Regulation
Week 15: Endocrinology
Week 16: Reproduction
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, homework, in-class activities, research paper,
and/or presentations.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the course of the semester
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as
follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating
circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are
enrolled.
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
DON’T CHEAT!
Revised 04/22/03
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic
honesty does not allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as
one's own" (2005, Undergraduate General Academic and Graduation Policies).
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a
zero on the alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will
be reported to the university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional
Review Board, and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the
following document for policy statements:
http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any
other aspect of the class as he sees fit.
Revised 04/22/03